A deadly plant, known as dead man's fingers or hemlock water-dropwort, has been spotted on Irish beaches, posing a serious threat to both humans and pets. This highly toxic plant can kill humans within an hour in certain doses and is poisonous to pets and livestock. It grows alongside waterways and exhibits flowers and foliage similar to wild types of carrot or parsnip plant. The plant has swollen roots beneath the soil, which are sometimes spotted after the plant has been uprooted, especially along coastlines. Meath County Council is urging people to stay alert on coastal walks after sightings of the plant in the local authority's area. Max Cody, a local businessman who spotted the parsnip-like roots on the beaches of Laytown and Bettystown, warned people to be vigilant with children and pets. Cody runs Fourshore Adventures, an outdoor pursuits business, and was away in recent days, spotting the plant on his return. He also works in forest schools where he teaches about toxic plants. The council is advising the public not to touch anything that looks like a parsnip-shaped root washed up on the beach. Even brushing against the plant can irritate skin and ingesting it can be severely dangerous for both people and animals. Sightings have also been confirmed on the northwest coast of England and in western Scotland, with vets in the UK warning of a rising number of livestock fatalities due to the wild plant.
